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After years of following his older sister to her travel softball games, 9-year-old Elijah Kokocinski has finally found a sport he can call his own. The fourth-grader at James Cole Elementary School took up the sport of fencing a few weeks ago, and his mom is thrilled that he has taken to it so enthusiastically.

"It's constant," said Christie Kokocinski, quoting her son as he anticipates his next practice. " 'When is fencing? Is it Monday yet?'"

For most 9-year-olds, the more likely question would be, What is fencing?

In case you're wondering the same thing, Mark Brandyberry says the Olympic sport of fencing grew out of the old tradition of dueling with swords. Fencers compete using one of three sword-like weapons -- a foil, an épée or a saber.

Brandyberry is a foilist and president of River City Fencing (no, it's not a company that sells chain-link fencing), a club that meets twice weekly at Morton Community Center in West Lafayette to practice an art that some people call "physical chess."

Right now, the club boasts more than 20 members ranging in age from 8 to 54, but the largest portion of them, according to Brandyberry and a scan of the participants at a session last month, are teenage girls.

It's a real challenge for Elijah, who was born 15 weeks premature and still is a bit small for his age. His mom said he became interested in fencing after Brandyberry brought a demonstration to his school. The strategy and precision that the sport involves push the limits of Elijah's focus and physical agility, but he loves it.

"He's figuring out that there's more to it than just having at it, like on the TV shows," his mom said.

She likes the fact that a year's membership in the club cost only $250, and an investment of $125 got Elijah a starter kit that included a foil, protective jacket, mask and gloves. By comparison, one of his sister's softball bats can cost $300.

Like Elijah, Jordan OBrien is just getting oriented to the sport. She became aware of the fencing club while visiting Morton Community Center for other activities her brother was doing there. It caught her eye "because it has to do with swords," said the fifth-grader at Burnett Creek Elementary.

Her mother, Stephanie Adams, said Jordan is limited to non-impact sports because of severe scoliosis.

Jordan isn't sure whether she'll ever fence competitively -- most River City members don't -- but she's enjoying learning the sport, even if it is harder than she expected.

"I like when you hit the blade and lunge at them," she said. "I like that."

Madeleine Steup, a home-schooled 18-year-old from rural West Lafayette, took up the sport 31/2 years ago and has become proficient enough to help teach less experienced members. She is a foilist. Her sister, Louisa, 16, specializes in épée, a slightly heavier weapon with a different set of rules.

"You can suit your fencing style to your personality," Madeleine said. "It's just a very unique sport, and it was something we could practice at home."

Gerrety writes about youth sports opportunities in the Lafayette area. Contact him with story ideas at grumpycoach@comcast.net.